Please note: Your purchase at the ALA Store is only Step 1 of a 2-Step Registration process!

Upon purchase you will receive a registration PDF in the form of a digital download. This PDF contains a link to our Registration page and a password. You must download this PDF and follow the instructions in order to complete the registration. The download link can be found on the final confirmation screen after you complete your purchase, and may also be accessed from your Account History. Confirmation with login instructions, reminders, and alerts will go to the email address used in the registration.

This eCourse is licensed for a single user. For pricing on bulk purchases in excess of $1,000, please contact us for more information.

Estimated Hours of Learning: 12 Certificate of Completion available upon request

Learning outcomes

By the end of the eCourse, you will be able to:

Create unusual, humorous, and highly participative story program themes

Readers of Rob Reid's bestselling books know his knack for freshening up storytimes through imaginative programming themes and content. Whether you’re getting started in programming or are a veteran in need of a battery-charger, you’ll catch the programming bug with Reid’s lively, humorous eCourse. With his guidance, you’ll learn how to move past bunny rabbits and teddy bears to create unique themes, while spotting audience participation elements that are often overlooked in picture books. He’ll show you how to add fingerplays, nursery rhymes, songs, movement activities, and crafts to make for even more engaging storytimes. Through a podcast and several videos, he’ll tell and show his presentation techniques, while assignments and discussion forums will encourage idea and resource sharing among your fellow attendees.eCourse outline

Week One

Introduction: Podcast with Rob Reid talks about his start in storytime programs, finding his strengths, and developing techniques

Storytelling: Demonstration of oral stories without a book (videos and assignment)

Read Aloud Tip: From picture book selection to how to hold the book (videos)

Themes: How to eliminate some themes and dream up new ones (discussion forum posting)

Week Two

Song and Music Activities, with links to specific picture books (video and assignment)

The eCourse begins on February 6, 2017. Your participation will require approximately four hours a week. All activities take place on the website, and you will be expected to

Read, listen to or view online content

Post to online discussion boards

Complete weekly assignments or activities

Instructor Rob Reid will monitor discussion boards regularly during the three-week period, lead group discussions, and will also answer individual questions. All interaction will take place on the eCourse site, which will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It's recommended that students log into the site on the first day of class for an overview of the content and to begin the first lesson.User Requirements

Participants will need regular access to a computer with an internet connection for online message boards participation, viewing online video, listening to streaming audio (mp3 files), and downloading and viewing PDFs and PowerPoint files. ALA Editions eCourses are fully compatible with Windows and MacOs.About the Instructor

Rob Reid is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire where he specializes in Children’s Literature and Literature for Adolescents. He is the author of 19 books , mostly about various aspects of children’s story programming and reading aloud to children. His latest book is Reaching Reluctant Readers Grades 3-8 (Roman & Littlefield, 2017).